Chapter 4

Applications of Derivatives

Extreme Values of Functions

The mean value theorem

The Rolles Theorem
If f(a) f(b) then there is at least
one number c in (a,b) at which f'(c) 0

Monotonic Functions and the first derivative test

Example:
Find the critical points of
f ( x ) x 3 12 x 5
and identify the intervals on which f is increasing and
decreasing.

Solution:

f ' ( x ) 3x 2 12 3( x 2 4) 3( x 2)( x 2)
Critical point, f ' ( x ) 0 :
x -2 and x 2

Example:
Find the critical points off ( x ) x ( x 4) x 4 x
and identify the intervals on which f is
increasing and decreasing.
Find the functions local and absolute extreme values.
Solutio
1/ 3

4/3

1/ 3

n:
f ' ( x)

4 1/ 3 4 2 / 3 4 2 / 3
4( x 1)
x x
x x 1
3
3
3
3x 2 / 3

Critical point ,

f ' ( x) 0 :

x 1

f ' ( x) undefined at x 0

First derivative test for local extrema:

No local extremu

x=0 : f(x) does not change sign

local minimum

x=1 :f(x) changes from ve to +ve

Local min:
f(1)=-3
Absolute min:
f(1)=-3

Tutorial 4
Ref: Thomas Calculus, 12th Edition

Exercises 3.7: 11,25,34,45

Exercises 3.8: 20,28,32,41
Exercises 4.1: 23,43,48,51,64
Exercises 4.2: 4,11
Exercises 4.3: 4,18,28,38,47